When choosing your first classical guitar its important to consider four things; Value for money, Playability, Sound and Size. I would recommend always trying out the instrument first before buying, visit your local music shop and try out a variety of instruments that are within your price range and pick the guitar that sounds and feels the best to you.
Value for money
As a beginner value for money is something that is especially important, ideally you want to get the best guitar you can buy with the budget available to you. Some guitars at the lower end of the price range can offer amazing value for money even more so when you look at the second hand market. Second hand guitars are well worth considering.
Playability
Its important when choosing your first classical guitar to try it out and make sure that it feels comfortable. A guitar that has a high action will be more difficult to play and can make playing the guitar hard work. The easier it is to play an instrument the more you are going to want to play it.
This is important when for a beginner as practicing on a guitar that is difficult to play is not going to be a fun experience.
Sound
Sound and tone are important factors to consider. Listen out for the timbre and sustain of the instrument a well constructed guitar will have a pleasant and dynamic sounding timbre and a sufficient sustain when playing the higher frets. At a beginner price point you are not going to get a concert quality instrument but can still get a reasonable sounding guitar.
Size
The size of the instrument is important even more so when it comes to choosing a classical guitar for young children. Depending on the height of the child generally the following guitar sizes should be chosen for the age of the child.
Age Range | Guitar Size |
3-5 | 1/4 |
5-8 | 1/2 |
8-12 | 3/4 |
12+ | Full size |
Recommendations
Yamaha C40II - £100-150
The Yamaha C40II is a great no frills value for money guitar that is solidly constructed and very playable. Its a great guitar for beginners who are on a budget and don't want to break the bank. Its a guitar that many people have started out on. The C40II features a spruce top, rosewood fingerboard and laminated sides with a gloss finish.
Cordoba C1 - £150-200
The Cordoba C1 is the entry level option for Cordoba's student range of classical guitars. The C1 is solidly built and easy to play its a great option for those that want a traditional Spanish made instrument at a reasonable price. The C1 features a spruce top, mahogany sides and polyurethane finish.
Cordoba C5 - £200-£300
The Cordoba C5 is the flagship model of Cordoba's student range of classical guitars. Featuring a solid cedar top the C5 has excellent tone and clear sustain. Although it is on the more expensive side for a beginner guitar if you can afford it this is an excellent option for a first guitar. The C5 is solidly constructed and offers a lot of guitar for the money. The C5 features a solid cedar top with mahogany back and sides and polyurethane finish.
Second Hand Market
Brands to look out for on the second hand market include Ibanez, Santos Martinez, Manuel Rodriquez (caballero range), Yamaha, Cordoba and Alhambra.